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$400M Stanford Donation Highlights B-Schools' Thirst For Social Impact Careers

Scholarship fund will develop global leaders to tackle pressing social challenges

Wed Feb 24 2016

BusinessBecause
Stanford University has received a $400 million donation from the founder of Nike, Philip Knight, to develop global leaders who can tackle society’s most pressing social challenges.

It equals the largest ever individual donation to a US university, and brings Stanford’s scholarship pot to $750 million for its elite scholarship scheme. Nike’s founder previously made a $105 million donation to Stanford.

Stanford hopes the fund will lure talent to its campus in the heart of Silicon Valley, as competition between top schools intensifies. There have been a plethora of high-profile scholarship launches focused on developing business leaders with a thirst for social impact.

Oxford University’s business school this month received £3.7 million from hedge fund boss Bill Ackman’s Pershing Square Foundation to develop social entrepreneurs, while INSEAD set up a similar scholarship for emerging market women in December.

And Chicago’s Booth School launched a scholarship for non-profit leaders funded with $4 million from the Neubauer Family Foundation.

“We wanted to create something enduring, that would be unlike anything else currently available to the world’s brightest minds, and that would make the biggest impact possible toward solving global challenges affecting the environment, health, education and human rights,” said Stanford president John Hennessy.

Sanford’s scholarship will fund 100 students a year through three-year graduate degrees, including in business, engineering and law.

The announcement comes as global business leaders consider more than just profit, and schools strive to offer them a matching education focused on people and planet. “We truly believe that business should make a difference in the lives of others — not just the bottom line,” said Erin Worsham, director of social entrepreneurship at Fuqua School of Business.

Ignasi Carreras, director of the Institute for Social Innovation at ESADE Business School, said: “We have been working intensively over the last 10 years to help our students understand how companies and non-profit organizations can have a positive impact on society.”

B-schools’ funds mirror the enthusiasm shown by their university bases, many of which are backed by billionaire bussinessmen-turned-philanthropists. Microsoft’s founder Bill Gates gave $210 million to the UK’s Cambridge University, and Blackstone’s boss Stephen Schwarzman put $100 million behind a program at China’s Tsinghua University.

A record $40.3 billion was raised by US universities in 2015, according to the Council for Aid to Education.

Stanford will accept applicants to its program in 2017. The first Knight-Hennessy Scholars will be admitted in 2018.

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Duke University Fuqua School of Business

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31/10/2023

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Supportive atmosphere

The professors at Duke university exhibit exceptional commitment to the success and well-being of their students by ensuring their academic growth and fostering a supportive social atmosphere. Moreover, the entire community is recognized for its amicability and inclusiveness.

Maxwell

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30/03/2023

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Diversity

The people or the students are without a doubt Duke's greatest asset. While all students are driven to succeed, they are also enthusiastic about a variety of hobbies. You run across a huge lot of diversity. It is the ideal example of a school with well-rounded students and the ideal balance of campus life in a metropolis.

Anabelle

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27/02/2023

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Happy to school

All I could ever hope for is Duke University. That really epitomizes the "work hard, play hard" philosophy that elite colleges frequently pursue. Even though you'll have a lot of schooling to complete over the week, it's simple to keep focused because all of your friends are putting in similar amounts of effort. Many events taking place on and around campus on the weekends provide a great way to unwind. The combination of demanding academics and traditional college fun strikes the perfect balance.

Monica

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27/02/2023

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Good schooling

Living, eating, learning, and developing who you want to be as an adult are all fantastic at Duke. I participated in student athletics, and I couldn't have asked for a better interaction with the faculty and other students. I appreciate all of the help I get from the Duke community more than anything. Furthermore, the teachers take the time to get to know you, and the lectures are diverse and demanding (if you do the same). I'd give it a 10 out of 10.

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Beautiful School, Nice Classes

DU remains one the greatest and best universities that I have ever stepped in. The school is beautiful and neat. The classes are spacious and also very nice. I enjoyed attending my Lectures in those lecture halls. I also loved the Lecturers because of the good work they did. The university also has very good dorms that are given to students on first come first serve basis and they are affordable

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29/06/2022

Blended

Amazing experience

I received my B.S. in Biology and B.A. in Global Health with a minor in Chemistry from Duke University. I was able to grow as a student, scientist, and global health advocate with the help of my friends, professors, and other mentors I met along the way. A lot to learn if you look and ask, a great place to learn for those who want to learn.

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29/06/2022

Blended

whirlwind of growth and change

An amazing 2 years, with covid and everything else happening Duke has been a place of growth for me. The courses , classes were one of a kind, online and on campus. But the valuable lessons learned in the classes are irreplicable. The students are amazing here, so much diversity , I had no problem fitting in. The teachers are down right brilliant and so helpful. Don't be afraid to ask them anything. Graduated with my MBA with Duke and now my future awaits.

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29/06/2022

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One of the best for Business students

Graduated with an MBA. The classes were very insightful and engaging. The staff are very easy to deal with. The teachers and students, are truly amazing people. Grateful to all the people I've met along the way at Duke. I've learnt a great deal that will help me in my future endeavors. The campus itself is a marvel, it is beautiful.

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The university campus is awesome

I graduated with a masters degree in Religious Studies from Duke University. One thing I really liked about the university is its huge campus. It is spread in a large area with a lot of greenery and also have the facilities of reading rooms for single person also. My department building was very well taken care of. The library is immensely populated with books for all your needs. The faculty is very nice to students. The classes are equipped with latest technology to cater the needs of students. The University also provides room rentals for international students. They are very well maintained and priority is given to the International students for a comfortable stay there. There are weekly events conducted by the University as well as Student clubs for the entertainment of students. Anybody can take part in them and show their talents. I enjoyed my degree and I graduated in 2021 and was very happy that I had graduated from a reputed University.

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Program Flexibility and Vibrant Campus Life

Duke University is renowned for its rigorous academic programs and vibrant campus life. The university offers a diverse range of majors and research opportunities, supported by world-class faculty. What I particularly liked about Duke was its strong sense of community and the wealth of extracurricular activities available to students. The campus is beautiful, with top-notch facilities and a supportive atmosphere that fosters both personal and academic growth. Overall, I would highly recommend Duke University for its excellent educational offerings and strong alumni network. If you're looking for a place that challenges you academically while offering numerous opportunities for personal development, Duke is an excellent choice.

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